2003 3 cylinder Ibiza problems

[coalport]

Hi I'm looking for info on behalf of a friend, she took her car for the yearly NCT (MOT) she says the car was running good before the test but seems to think that since they revved up for the emission test the car started to run rough, she took it to a Seat dealer and the diagnostic results showed a few things maybe causing the problem, unfortunately she can't remember what they were but took it to a local mechanic who changed some parts that were on the fault list, one was the throttle body, she said the running improved but was still not perfect, this lasted for a few months then the other day the car broke down on the way to work, it would start but not rev up, I know it's a fly by wire system but know nothing about electronics on modern cars, we towed the car to another mechanic but it seems to have stumped him, he's tried changing a few parts such as ECU obtained from local breakers but can't seem to locate the problem so I was hoping that someone on here may have had similar problems or know the answer, sorry to sound a bit vague but I didn't deal with the mechanic myself so don't know exactly what he changed, I'm just hoping someone might have a positive answer to the problem, thanks John

 

[cheshire cat]

think you need to start again as by now no one knows where it's up to, get the codes re read and come back with a straight tale and try again 3 mechanics in a row is not a good idea either they'll all blame each other

 

[RUM4MO]

think you need to start again as by now no one knows where it's up to, get the codes re read and come back with a straight tale and try again 3 mechanics in a row is not a good idea either they'll all blame each other

As per the above, one thing that can happen with these engines is that the engine timing alters due to the chain jumping a tooth or so.

 

[Khaosie]

My ex had a very similar problem with her 1.2 Ibiza.
It would run, but quite rough. It only got worse and worse.
OBD threw up "Cylinder 3" misfire. Changed the spark plug. Nothing. Changed the HT lead. Nothing.
Decided to do a compression test and Cylinder 3 was about half of Cylinder 1 & 2.
Turns out the exhaust valves had burn out on Cylinder 3. Common problem, apparently.
If it's burning oil too, that's the problem.

 

[coalport]

My ex had a very similar problem with her 1.2 Ibiza.
It would run, but quite rough. It only got worse and worse.
OBD threw up "Cylinder 3" misfire. Changed the spark plug. Nothing. Changed the HT lead. Nothing.
Decided to do a compression test and Cylinder 3 was about half of Cylinder 1 & 2.
Turns out the exhaust valves had burn out on Cylinder 3. Common problem, apparently.
If it's burning oil too, that's the problem.

thanks for the reply, the car was running rough so maybe it could be a burn out valve but the main problem is the car starts ticks over but won't rev up, there doesn't seem to any connection between the throttle pedal and fuel pump

 

[coalport]

I'm glad to say my friend finally got the problem sorted, it was the insulation on some wiring near the ECU had worn through causing the trouble, sorry I can't be more specific but I didn't speak to the mechanic, thanks for the replies

 

[Arkaig]

Seems common on these cars. My other half had a 2001 Ibiza that wouldn't start and the dash lit up like a christmas tree. We traced it down to a wire on the ECU that at first we thought had been chewed up by mice.

Turns out it just wasn't insulated properly and slowly rubbing itself apart on the chassis.

Always worth giving all looms a quick check at service time IMO.